Chidozie S. Okoye1, Anthony A. Attama2, Stanley C. Eluu3 and Emmanuel M. Uronnachi1, Francis O. Ugwuene4 and Akunna P. Emeruwa5
1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria ; 2Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; 3Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria; 4Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria; 5Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi, Nigeria
Corresponding author: chidozieokoy@gmail.com
Diabetic nephropathy is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus and remains one of the leading causes of kidney dysfunction, often resulting from persistent hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and metabolic imbalance. This research was designed to determine the effects of Newbouldia laevis leaf derived extract and homeopathic formulations on kidney function markers in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The extract was prepared in ethanol to produce a mother tincture, which was subsequently diluted through a 10-fold serial dilution and succussion to obtain different homeopathic potencies (1X, 2X, 3X, 6X, and 30C). Experimental Diabetes was induced through a single intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg), after which the rats were divided into eleven groups, including three crude extract doses (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg), five homeopathic potencies, normal and diabetic controls, and a standard drug (glibenclamide) group. Treatments were administered orally for 21 days, and kidney markers were assessed using standard biochemical methods. Results showed that diabetes induction significantly elevated (p<0.05) urea levels, indicating impaired renal function, while N. laevis leaf extract and most homeopathic formulations helped stabilize urea in comparison with the untreated diabetic controls. The extract produced a dose-independent effect, with no meaningful variations among the three doses, although the 1X and 30C formulations were less effective. Similarly, creatinine levels were considerably elevated in diabetic groups, but intervention with N. laevis extract and lower potencies (1X–3X) reduced creatinine in a dose-responsive manner, with the 3X formulation and higher extract doses showing effects comparable to glibenclamide. These findings suggest that the renoprotective potential of N. laevis is strongest at lower dilutions and higher extract doses, while higher dilutions appear less effective.